Tag Archives: Exclusive

Review: Figure Subscription Service Widescope!

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G.I. Joe Collector's Club Figure Subscription Service Widescope

Figure Subscription Service Widescope & Lamont

The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Figure Subscription Service shipments have been hitting in rapid fire recently!  It was barely month ago shipment #1 dropped an all-Tiger Force deployment in the mailboxes of subscribers and shipment #2 arrived just before the Thanksgiving holiday!

New figures mean new reviews here at JBL and this time I’ve pulled in some help!  Chris “Werecat” Chung has jumped in to help discuss the latest addition to the generation 3 G.I. Joe figure roster: Widescope and his trusty pal Lamont!

What do two reviewers think of this newest SWAT team member from the Figure Subscription Service?  Hit the Collector’s Club Review Index and find out!  Also, check back tomorrow as Chris and I take on the Range Viper Commander better known as Skullbuster!

Review: Figure Subscription Service Tiger Force Shipwreck

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G.I. Joe Figure Subscription Service Tiger Force Shipwreck

After a long dry spell it would seem that the floodgates of new G.I. Joe products have been opened!  The G.I. Joe Collector’s Club recently shipped out the first installment of their Figure Subscription Service 2.0 and now the second shipment is on its way!  So, as fans are keeping an impatient surveillance on their mailboxes, JBL takes a look at the second half of the first shipment of FSS 2.0 – Tiger Force Shipwreck!

Can the G.I. Joe team’s salty sailor pull off the Tiger Force color scheme in generation 3 construction?  Check out the Collector’s Club Review Index and find out one Joe fan’s opinion!  (Feel free to leave your own comments below.)

Review: Figure Subscription Service Tiger Force Airtight

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Figure Subscription Service Tiger Force Airtight

When it comes to new product, G.I. Joe fans are in the middle of a dry spell.  That last Retaliation wave only contained 3 new figures and is proving as elusive as finding a sasquatch in the middle of New York City.  However, last week the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club shipped the first two figures from their second Figure Subscription Service.  Here’s where I spoil the surprise– it was an all Tiger Force shipment!  I was initially pretty luke-warm about these two figures when they were announced however, sometimes having a figure in hand can make all the difference.

So, how does Airtight hold up? Check out the review of Tiger Force Airtight in the Collector’s Club Review Index here at JBL!  Look for Shipwreck to drop by Monday!

Cross Country Announced as G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Renewal Figure

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G.I. Joe Collector's Club Cross Country 2014

It’s that time of year again– when the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club reveals the membership renewal figures for the forthcoming year in an attempt to encourage fans to sign-up/renew their membership.   After a string of successful endeavors over the past few years including Dial-Tone, Footloose, and Iceberg the club pulls out all of the stops with this year’s reveal of HAVOC driver Cross Country!

Based on the debut 1986 version of Cross Country the figure looks pretty darned solid in this fan’s eyes and I’d be remiss if I didn’t sense the involvement of Boss Fight Studios in this design somewhere.  According to the Club:

2014 CROSS-COUNTRY (3 3/4-Inch Modern Era Action Figure)

CROSS-COUNTRY is the G.I. Joe Collectors’ Club FREE Membership Incentive Figure for 2014! This FREE figure will be sent to any G.I. Joe Club member that chooses the 3 3/4-inch figure option and whose membership is active by March 16th, 2014.

This club exclusive CROSS-COUNTRY action figure features a NEW head sculpt, NEW vest with holster, figure stand, classic file card and accessories, including: assault rifle, pistol, and NEW vehicle wrench. Members can expect to receive this bagged figure with all his accessories in late spring/early summer of 2014!

It’s a nice recreation/update of the original figure that brings Cross Country firmly into the Generation 3 era of 1:18 construction.  I do miss the character’s goofy grin that was so prevalent on the original 1986 design but I can live without also seeing his “chipmunk cheeks” recreated as well.  (Seriously, it looked he either had the mumps or was storing nuts for the winter in there!)  What is more surprising is that the GIJCC revealed the release of the “HAVOC Mk II” as an optional accessory for purchase later.  Essentially just a repainted Snowcat I’m not certain how it will go over with a membership that has already purchased two Figure Subscription Service waves in the past year.  Consider me definitely down for Cross Country and a probable “pass” on the HAVOC Mk II.

All of the renewal information for both 1:18 and 1:6 can be found at the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club links below.

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Figure Subscription Service 2.0 is Shipping!!!

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G.I. Joe Collector's Club Figure Subscription Service 2.0

It may be a long time until new G.I. Joe product is on store shelves but some fans will have a surprise waiting for them in their mailboxes very soon!  The first shipment of the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club Figure Subscription Service has shipped and a few lucky fans already have theirs in hand!

Caution: Spoilers ahead for those who want the shipment to be a surprise.  However, for the remaining 95% of the fandom, the identities will be revealed below.

Master customizer and all-around great guy Alyosha of Broken Arrow Toys posted a few quick shots of his shipment on Facebook over the weekend to reveal that the first shipment is a box of Tiger Force goodness!  That’s right Joe fans, Tiger Force Shipwreck and Airtight should be arriving on subscribers’ doors very very soon.

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I have to admit– this shipment is a mixed bag for me.  Let me start off by saying that I’ve NEVER been a big fan of the original Tiger Force color scheme.  Sorry gang, but yellow and black striped shirts seem like they’d blend better at Mardi Gras than in any of the world’s jungles.  As such, I’ve never owned much in the way of Tiger Force ANYTHING save for the Valor vs. Venom Tiger Force Alpine & Crosshairs two-pack and the Toys R Us Exclusive Tiger Force 6 pack.  Not one vintage piece is found anywhere in my collection.  HOWEVER, I have to say that these are growing on me.  Airtight is probably the Joe whose original color scheme is closest to his original release and, well, Shipwreck is Shipwreck.  Thanks to Sunbow I have a soft spot in my Joe fan heart for the character and cut him a lot of slack.  (In some ways he’s Sunbow’s equivalent to Deadpool.)

Expect some reviews of the final product once they drop on my door step in the coming days.  However, so far I don’t hate them like I thought I would.  However, I’m going to go on record and say now that I’d still rather see some more 1:18 Adventure Team in the next FSS than I would more Tiger Force!  (Or Sgt. Savage!!!)

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2013 SDCC G.I. Joe vs. Transformers set now in stock at HasbroToyShop.com

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G.I. Joe vs. Transformers SDCC 2013 exclusive set

There’s no need for a lot of verbiage here!  This year’s SDCC G.I. Joe vs. Transformers set is finally available!

UPDATE: 10/16/2013 AS OF NOW THE SET APPEARS TO BE SOLD OUT!

Now that the lawsuit between Hasbro & Harmony Gold has been settled it would seem that the flood gates have been opened for the 2013 SDCC G.I. Joe vs. Transformers set featuring Jetfire, Hound, Blaster, Bludgeon, Baroness, Ravage, and more!  (Okay, there’s that Snake Eyes repaint but who REALLY needs Snake Eyes v 10,203 anymore? It’s a solid set and the “epic conclusion” to the series that began three years ago with Cobra Commander & Starscream and then evolved to Destro & Shockwave in 2012.

Got get it at HasbroToyShop.com:

http://www.hasbrotoyshop.com/gi-joe-transformers-jetfire-vehicle?BR=496&ID=32166

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G.I. Joe vs. Transformers – Kre-O style!

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Kre-O logo

While the New York Comic Con may not be the font of new product news that many G.I. Joe fans were hoping for, all is not bleak in Joe-land!  New Kre-O sets and blind-bagged figures are dropping at Toys R Us stores across the nation.  To celebrate this, the good folks at Hunter PR passed on a stop-motion animation gem that is sure to put a smile on the face of even the most stodgy of Joe fans!

So, check out “G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers” — Kre-O style!

Marauder Gun Runners offers painted Series 6 gear!

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maraudersmalllogo

DISCLAIMER: There will be little-to-no objectivity shown in this post.  If you’re looking for objective journalism, try a real news site!  We love Marauder Gun-Runners here at JBL!

Just when you thought Marauder Gun Runners couldn’t make their products any better, something like this occurs!  MGR is now offering a factory-painted set of their incredible Series 6 weapons!  That’s right– you can deck out your favorite 1:18 action figures with gear that has been molded in gun-metal gray and then painted with either desert or forest colors.  It’s an amazing set of 33 painted weapons and accessories for only $24.99!

Think of the possibilities:

  • Didn’t like the rifle that came with the FSS Barrel Roll?  Easy– swap it out with the painted M200!
  • Need to jazz up the FSS Grunt figure?  Toss in the AA20 automatic shotgun!
  • Want to clear out a nest of Zombie Vipers?  Give Outback that painted combat flamethrower and light ’em up!

Check out JBL’s review of the original Series 6 and keep your eyes peeled for an updated gallery of the painted set in the next few days!  (Also, check out the rest of JBL’s Marauder Gun Runners Review Index!)

You can place your order for this incredible set HERE!

Marauder Gun Runners painted Series 6

FSS 2.0: Carded Cesspool Revealed!

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It’s been awfully quiet on the G.I. Joe toy news front lately.  However, the good folks over at the G.I. Joe Collector’s Club decided to spice things up a bit with a bit of an unveiling today.  Over on their Facebook page they unveiled a carded sample of one of the figures from FSS 2.0— the Cobra CEO: CESSPOOL!

G.I. Joe FSS 2 Cesspool

Cesspool, not to be confused with the uber-awesome Merc With a Mouth Deadpool, was Cobra’s analogy to the 1989 movie version of the Joker.  Disfigured in a chemical accident, he was one part brilliant businessman and two parts chemically-induced nutjob.  Granted, good old Cesspool was used only sparingly in both the DiC series and in the Marvel Comics run but, by all appearances, this figure does a SOLID job of capturing the classic ARAH figure and bringing him forward into the Generation 3 era.  Based on the body of the Techno-Viper and featuring an AMAZING headsculpt from Boss Fight Studio, this was one of the figures that immediately convinced me to sign up for the second round of the FSS.

One cool detail that I noticed when drooling over looking at the image above is that Cesspool’s right eye is now completely “dead”.  LOVE IT!  I’m not entirely sold on the card art which seems just a bit too jolly even with the giant scar but I also have ZERO intention of leaving this figure sealed.  (GASP!  I know!  I’m not a real collector!)  Going just on the figure alone this one looks to be a good addition to the Cobra shelf.

No ETA on when FSS 2.0 will start shipping but this just ramps up the excitement a bit.  So while you’re waiting for him to arrive, check out JBL’s Review of the 1991 Cesspool figure!

 

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New G.I. Joe carded artwork poster available from 3DJoes.com!

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3DJoes.com 1982 - 1985 card art poster project.

3DJoes.com 1982 – 1985 card art poster project.

Here at JBL, we’re suckers for good G.I. Joe artwork and the website 3DJoes.com.  So, imagine the utter glee that was experienced by one admin in particular when the following announcement went up on 3DJoes regarding their recent carded artwork poster project!

Carded 3DJoes” posters are here!

The first “Carded 3DJoes” poster is here! It features every single carded figure from 1982-1985. That’s 49 unforgettable Joes and Cobras on one 24″x36″ poster!Paper details: All 3DJoes posters are printed on 65 lb. sterling premium gloss paper stock. According to my printer, 65 pound paper is the thickest you can use and still roll them without creasing or damaging. It wont easily crease, pinch, or wrinkle. These posters are definitely frame worthy, but the paper is thick enough that if you just want to tack them up, that will work too.

Printing details: We use a four color printing process (CMYK), not digital. Four color prints are much higher quality than digital laser prints. To see behind the scenes at the printer, check out my “3DJoes of the 80s” album on Facebook.

Cost: All 3DJoes posters are an even $20 a piece, plus an estimated $9 for shipping. Comic/Collectibles dealers: please contact me for bulk purchase discounts. Orders of 20 or more are half off!

Why: Proceeds will help pay the $80/month that I’m paying to Arqball for their pro subscription. More info on that here: Pricing » Arqball Spin Blog  Fan response has been great and visitors enjoyed 47,000 spins last month, so hopefully I’ll sell plenty of posters!

Wow!  1982 – 1985 were considered by many to be the peak years of the original A Real American Hero toy line.  These were the years that introduced fans to most of the line’s core characters from Snake Eyes to Cobra Commander to Firefly to Shipwreck to the Dreadnoks!  49 nine of your favorite characters stunningly reproduced on heavy card stock in a gorgeous 24 x 36 image?  This promotion already had me at “poster” but the fact that this is also helping to offset site maintenance costs for 3DJoes.com just makes it a complete no-brainer!Seriously– we’re moving into third quarter now and that means holiday shopping has begun.  (Or, at least, you might want to think about getting started.)  What better gift for the Joe fan in your life than one of these posters hanging proudly on the wall of their office/den/Joe room!

Check out the “Carded Joes 82 – 85” page over at 3DJoes.com for ordering information!